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Microsoft has completed the latest version of its Office software, called XP, on time. The software giant has shipped it to manufacturers and said it will be available for retail later this spring.

Microsoft has completed the latest version of its Office software, called XP, on time. The software giant has shipped it to manufacturers and said it will be available for retail later this spring.

"OfficeXP's greatest strength is that it delivers extensive new innovations that will truly improve the way people work by enabling them to be more efficient and productive with their PC," said Steven Sinofsky, senior vice president of Office at Microsoft.

He added that features such as Smart Tags and Task Panes will enable people to improve their overall productivity, and quickly synthesise, create and deliver professional-looking information.

"For people working in teams, OfficeXP will make it easy for them to work and communicate with other people through new email-based document collaboration and annotation technologies, a new pre-built team website solution called SharePoint Team Services, and further integration with the web and services such as Hotmail and the MSN instant messaging application," said Sinofsky.

Pricing for the suite, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other applications, has yet to be determined.

Amy Wohl, president of Wohl Associates, said: "A first look at OfficeXP clearly shows many compelling new innovations that make this a product people will want to get their hands on."

He added that the advancements and integrated web services have the potential to improve productivity and offer a new way to collaborate with others.

Microsoft is touting OfficeXP as "the most significant version of Office ever released". The software maker shipped the first beta version, formerly known as Office 10, to 3000 testers in August, followed by an expanded test with 10,000 users in September.